Rock bottom. That has to be where the Colorado Avalanche are currently. Monday started with Peter Forsberg announcing his retirement and then ended in complete disaster. The Calgary Flames defeated the Avalanche, 9-1.
The Flames opened up the game with a 5-0 lead. David Moss scored 18 seconds into the game and then it snowballed from there. Anton Babchuk on the power play, Jarome Iginla, Curtis Glencross and Olli Jokinen all scored before the period was over. While the Avs did not allow a goal in the second period, the Flames dialed things to 11 to start the final period of play with two goals in the first three minutes of play. Two more goals followed. Not pretty at all.
Daniel Winnik put the Avalanche on the board at 11:09 in the second period. Philippe Dupuis received a five minute major and a 10 minute game misconduct for kneeing Olli Jokinen in the first period. He's likely to receive a suspension for the hit. Matt Duchene did not return for the third period following a hand injury and Cameron Gaunce suffered a left leg injury late in the final period.
Peter Budaj started in net for the Avalanche, but didn't end the game there. Three swaps were made, with Craig Anderson finishing the game. Budaj made 13 saves on 18 shots while Anderson stopped 11 shots on 15 attempts. Calgary put in Henrik Karlsson to finish the game.
The Avalanche (25-26-6, 56 points) are now on an eight-game losing streak and have lost 10 of their last 11. They host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday, Feb. 16.